Daniel Coker Horton & Bell, P.A. is proud to announce the recognition of several of the firm’s attorneys in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 Edition, including two attorneys named “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective practice areas.

2027 “Lawyer of the Year” Honorees

Wilton V. Byars III was named the 2027 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation – Defendants in Tupelo.

Timothy M. Peeples was named the 2027 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants in Tupelo.

The “Lawyer of the Year” distinction is awarded to individual attorneys who receive particularly strong peer feedback within a specific practice area and geographic region. Only one lawyer is recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” for each specialty and location.

In addition to these distinguished honors, the following Daniel Coker attorneys were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 Edition:

Gulfport, Mississippi

Kristi Rogers Brown

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024

• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Madison, Mississippi

George E. Abdo III

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2019

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law
• Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Litigation – Construction
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants

Gary K. Jones

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2003

• Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers

Thomas R. Julian

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021

• Insurance Law
• Litigation – Insurance
• Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Roy A. Smith, Jr.

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2014

• Insurance Law
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants

Jason H. Strong

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021

• Litigation – Insurance
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants

M. James Weems

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2019

• Litigation – Insurance
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants

Oxford, Mississippi

Wilton V. Byars III

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011

• Insurance Law
• Litigation – Insurance
• Municipal Law
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Product Liability Litigation – Defendants

J. Miles Forks

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2024

• Insurance Law
• Municipal Law
• Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers

Timothy M. Peeples

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021

• Employment Law – Management
• Labor Law – Management
• Litigation – Labor and Employment
• Litigation – Municipal
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

George E. Read

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013

• Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers

Shea S. Scott

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022

• Civil Rights Law
• Insurance Law
• Litigation – Insurance
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants

Robert F. Stacy, Jr.

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2015

• Litigation – Construction
• Litigation – Insurance
• Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
• Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants

A Tradition of Excellence

Recognition by Best Lawyers reflects the professional respect these attorneys have earned from their peers and underscores Daniel Coker’s longstanding commitment to providing experienced, sophisticated legal representation to clients throughout Mississippi and beyond.

We congratulate Wilton V. Byars III and Timothy M. Peeples on their 2027 “Lawyer of the Year” honors and all of our attorneys recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 Edition. Their achievements reflect the depth of experience, professionalism and dedication to client service found throughout our firm.